Let's Talk Architecture
Join the Danish Architecture Center as we chat with some of the world’s leading architects, designers, planners, and engineers about their work and ideas. Let’s Talk Architecture introduces you to the creative and innovative minds behind the future of our buildings and cities. Let’s Talk Architecture introduces you to the creative and innovative minds behind the future of our buildings and cities. Get to know the creative and innovative minds that shapes Danish architecture. Author and journalist, Michael Booth, is not an architect, but he is curious about cities, and how they are built. In this podcast he ventures out into the city with architects, planners, and urban developers, while he asks them about the agendas, that shapes their projects and our built environment. They talk about everything from the aesthetics of the climate change, modernist masterpieces, extensive retail planning, rethinking of materials, sensuous architecture, transformation of existing buildings, the shaping of new architects, and much much more. Generous funding is provided by Realdania and the Danish Industry Foundation. Learn more at dac.dk/en/podcast
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How rebuilding war-torn areas can accelerate the sustainable transition
04/30/2024
How rebuilding war-torn areas can accelerate the sustainable transition
Ukraine has seen many of its cities and towns destroyed. One day they will hopefully be rebuilt - with great costs and a large climate footprint as a result. But what are the alternatives? Danish NGO, (Architects Without Borders), is already working on a solution: With the pilot project Build-back-green a sustainable building system using biogenic materials - straw, clay, and timber – is introduced in the Ukrainian city of Voznesensk. Can rebuilding in war-torn or disaster struck parts of the world show a way forward to a more sustainable form of construction? And how do you balance that with the urgent need to recover quickly and cheaply? In this episode, host Michael Booth meets the chairperson of Arkitekter Uden Grænser, Christoffer Breitenbauch, to hear more about the organization's work and its new project in Ukraine. Let’s Talk Architecture is a podcast by .
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What comes after concrete?
02/21/2024
What comes after concrete?
Concrete and steel. We know that both of these mainstream building materials come with a massive CO2 cost, and that we need to find alternatives. One way forward is the reintroduction of traditional materials and invention of new bio-based materials. But the implementation of the new materials requires large and challenging changes for the entire building industry. What will it take to kickstart these massive changes? And what happens when starting at a more tangible level: With the building materials themselves? In this episode, Michael Booth visits Denmark’s first bio-based construction marketplace, (“The Harbour Hands”), to understand the impact of introducing biomaterials. Two of Havnens Hænder’s three founders, Magnus Henriques and Mikkel Damgaard Nielsen, introduces Booth to innovative building materials such as hempcrete, cork, and mycelium, and together they dive into the greatest obstacles and potentials, when it comes to working for a greener building industry. Let’s Talk Architecture is a podcast by , with sound edits by Munck Studios.
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How to measure the unmeasurable qualities of urban space
01/25/2024
How to measure the unmeasurable qualities of urban space
In Herlev, a suburb of Copenhagen, the site of a former asphalt factory is being transformed into a new housing area. At first glance, this is a building site like many others, dominated by cranes, concrete and safety helmets. But in fact, a pilot project out of the ordinary is taking place here. Leaded by innovation agency , the project invites artists to analyze the site that is being transformed. By interacting with the local biodiversity, diving into the landscape’s history, and arranging experimental workshops, the project uses art as a method of measuring some of the factors, we would normally find unmeasurable: The aesthetic, historical and sense-evoking traits of a place. The project is part of , a contribution to EU’s New European Bauhaus initiative, launched in 2020 to create sustainable, inclusive, and attractive solutions for city planning and construction. In line with the EU initiative, the project in Herlev aims to gain a different (and maybe even deeper) understanding of the site before it is developed – the idea being, that a green transition of the construction industry and its conventions requires unconventional new approaches. But what kind of value can artists bring to the building site, normally characterized by hardcore calculations, strict timelines, and excel sheet-loving construction managers? And how do you take care of the existing qualities of a place while transforming it? Take a listen to this episode of Let’s Talk Architecture, where host Michael Booth meets Madeleine Kate McGowan, artist, speculative designer, and artistic leader at NXT. Let’s Talk Architecture is a podcast by , with sound edits by Munch Studio.
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How to transform buildings with no waste
12/14/2023
How to transform buildings with no waste
Søren Pihlmann, founder of , is among the hottest up-and-coming names in Danish architecture right now. Known for his ambitious approach to transformations, Søren Pihlmann insists on reusing as much of the existing buildings as possible - from plumbing to concrete beams - and adapting them for the new purpose of the building. In this episode, host Michael Booth visits Søren Pihlmann at the building site of one of his most radical projects yet: Thoravej 29 in north-west Copenhagen. Here, a former office for a Danish fur company is being transformed into a diverse cultural center, with the use of the materials already at hand at the site. In the episode Søren Pihlmann explains the ideas behind his hardcore approach to the reuse of on-site materials, and reveals why, to him, this approach is about more than sustainability, but also holds potential for a new aesthetic. Let’s Talk Architecture is a podcast by , with sound edits by Munch Studio.
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How to build high-quality housing on the road to reduction
11/16/2023
How to build high-quality housing on the road to reduction
Living Places is an experimental village in Copenhagen that challenges the way we build and live today. Initiated by and built in partnership with and , the temporary village’s low emission homes suggest a whole new way of thinking about a series of urgent matters: From environmental footprint to indoor climate, biodiversity, affordability, and community building. As a case study for the project, a plan to reduce the CO2 emission of new housing projects, eschews costly, high-tech solutions, focusing instead on what can be done right now, for a relatively low investment. But what will it take to change our mindsets when it comes to housing? In this episode of Let’s Talk Architecture, Michael Booth meets Sinus Lynge, co-founder and Creative Director of EFFEKT Architects. Together they visit Living Places and discuss the future of low-emission, high-quality housing. Let's Talk Architecture is a podcast produced by , with sound edits by Munck Studio.
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Sydney Opera House 50 years: How to make art out of compromises
10/23/2023
Sydney Opera House 50 years: How to make art out of compromises
What is the price to be paid for being an uncompromising architect? And is the uncompromising approach to architecture a thing of the past? In 2023 the Sydney Opera House can celebrate its 50th anniversary. The building was designed by the then unknown Danish architect, Jørn Utzon, and it has become a milestone in modern architecture. But the Sydney Opera House also represents an often-seen story of the complexities and challenges of large and innovative building projects: A story of interdisciplinary collaborations, and the controversies and compromises, that led to Utzon leaving the project before it was finished. In this episode of Let’s Talk Architecture, Director of Exhibitions at , Line Nørskov Davenport, takes us through the myths, the facts, and the truly remarkable story behind the opera house’s difficult birth, and talks about what we can learn from the process. Host is Michael Booth. Let’s Talk Architecture is a podcast by , with sound edits by Munck Studio.
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How architecture can drive social change
10/03/2023
How architecture can drive social change
How do you address the issues related to disadvantaged public housing areas, often affected by high unemployment, crime, and other challenges? The question is common to many cities across Europe. In Denmark the government is combining social and architectural interventions in the most troubled areas: With the ‘parallel society law’, up to 60% of existing residents are evicted, and entire housing blocks are being renovated and improved. The aim is to convert troubled housing areas into attractive, safe, and diverse neighborhoods. But can the built environment affect the social issues of a place? And how do the changes affect the residents of the area? These are some of the questions Michael Booth raises in this episode of Let's Talk Architecture, as he joins Marie Stender, anthropologist, and senior researcher at Aalborg University, for a walk in Mjølnerparken, a social housing area in Copenhagen, that is affected by the new law to prevent parallel societies. Let's Talk Architecture is a podcast produced by the , with sound edits by Munck Studio.
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Why waste cannot go to waste in the building industry
09/05/2023
Why waste cannot go to waste in the building industry
One way the built environment can mitigate its massive negative climate impact is by focusing architecture on reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling elements. Essentially building within a circular economy framework. However, many central players in the building industry are reluctant to change their approach to materials usage. So, what is preventing us from building a circular society? In this live episode of Let’s Talk Architecture, Michael Booth sits down in a cross-cultural conversation with leading experts on the circular economy within construction, Anders Lendager (), and Maarten Gielen (), as they share their experiences, hopes, and concerns regarding architecture within a circular economy. Both guests express their pessimism as they envision the future of the circular economy in the construction industry. But there is also reasons to be optimistic. You can hear why on this episode. Let's talk architecture is a podcast by the , with sound edits by Munck Studio. You can listen to previous episodes .
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How experimenting can foster sustainable living
08/28/2023
How experimenting can foster sustainable living
Cities are attracting more and more people, but finding an affordable home can become a struggle – especially for students making the move. In Copenhagen the demand for student housing has led to new ways of building and living. The goal is to create space for more people by living smaller and sharing more. is a leading actor in constructing – and experimenting with – temporary and affordable housing. But this is no easy task changing the housing industry – and the law. In this episode of Let’s talk architecture the cofounder of CPH Village, Frederik Noltenius Busk, takes Michael Booth on a tour of their fourth iteration of their student villages, , that promises small homes, lots of community and even a low carbon footprint. And lots of learnings too. Let's talk architecture is a podcast by with sound edits by Munck Studio. You can listen to previous episodes .
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The secrets behind producing great architects
08/02/2023
The secrets behind producing great architects
What are the secrets behind producing great architects? This question becomes increasingly difficult to answer simply as the world becomes ever more complex and undergoes constant change. Therefore, creating a learning environment for students that empowers the next generation to tackle societal challenges was of utmost importance when needed a new home. In this episode of Let’s Talk Architecture, the host, Michael Booth, visits the Architecture School in Aarhus to engage in a conversation with the principal, Torben Nielsen, about the school's raw and simple design crafted by . They also delve into the necessity of redefining craftsmanship, the distinctions in architectural education, and students who aspire to change the world. Let's talk architecture is a podcast by the , with sound edits by Munck Studio. You can listen to previous episodes .
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How inclusive design can increase learning
06/08/2023
How inclusive design can increase learning
Can ‘inclusivity’ as a design principle bring about new forms to our learning environments? In this episode of ‘Let’s talk architecture’ our guest expert, architect Eva Ravnborg from the architecture company , shares insights on how inclusive design principles can create equitable learning spaces. She takes the host, Michael Booth on a tour to , which the studio designed to activate children in various kinds of ways that allow them ‘to get through the day in more than 100 different ways’. From accessible entrances and classrooms to considering acoustics and lighting for sensory sensitivities, Eva explains various ways to incorporate inclusivity. Join us as we explore the transformative impact of inclusive school architecture on student success and well-being. Let's talk architecture is a podcast, sound edits by Munck Studio. You can hear previous episodes .
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How AI changes architecture as we know it
06/01/2023
How AI changes architecture as we know it
These days artificial intelligence (AI) is in the spotlight – from fearsome warnings about societal impacts presented by leading figures in the tech industries and on to hopeful imaginations of a better future. But can AI also help create better, more sustainable, and even more democratic architecture? At the architectural company Henning Larsen they seem to think so, and their use of AI in their architectural practices help running big operations more smoothly. In this episode of Let’s talk architecture the guest, Signe Kongebro, Global Design Director, Urbanism and Partner at walks our host Michael Booth through some of the ways AI is already in use in their everyday work. For instance, high-speed AI-generated renderings can make design processes and citizen engagement more efficient, and in the end inspire new forms and layouts. Listen in on how AI is already helping to shape our cities. Let's talk architecture is a podcast, sound edits by Munck Studio. You can hear previous episodes .
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How the rising sea levels call for new ways to imagine the future cities
05/25/2023
How the rising sea levels call for new ways to imagine the future cities
The UN General Secretary proclaims the climate change consequences will be of ‘biblical proportions’. But what will that feel like in the cities we know and love today – and what can we expect from the solutions? That is what the team behind the Danish contribution to the has set out to explore. The exhibition “” explores how we can secure the livability in coastal cities by staging the future scenarios theatrically to create emotional experiences of climate change. Join us for this episode of Let’s Talk Architecture when Michael Booth visits the Danish Pavilion in Venice to interview curator and scenographer . Through the exhibition they intend to evoke a sense of hope in the audience while grasping a rather dark future. Let's talk architecture is a podcast, sound edits by Munck Studio. You can hear previous episodes .
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Where to find ugly architecture in the World Capital of Architecture?
05/04/2023
Where to find ugly architecture in the World Capital of Architecture?
In 2023 Copenhagen is named the by UNESCO due to the city’s livability and architecture which is renowned and praised by internationals as well as locals. But not all architectural realities deserve an award, and in this episode, we take a hard look at some of the Copenhagen buildings we condemn rather than praise. Your host Michael Booth takes a tour around the city with Holger Dahl, architectural critic from the Danish national newspaper , and together they explore Copenhagen’s less popular sites. Even the home of Danish Architecture Center, , gets a few punches, although this construction seems to be growing on Holger Dahl. Come visit us some day and let us know what you think. Let's talk architecture is a podcast, sound edits by Munck Studio. You can hear previous episodes .
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How to protect a livable city against disasters
03/20/2023
How to protect a livable city against disasters
No one knows what the future brings, so how can architects make sure their design is resilient tomorrow as well as today? Resilience is a hot topic in architecture circles, and it’s increasingly on the agenda from the earlier stages of design and planning. But what does ‘resilience’ even mean? And how do you design for livable cities and resilient communities in an unknown future? We went to Berlin to discover how the German capital can be considered resilient. Martin Henn, the third generation of his family to lead architects, and Caroline Nagel, project director at the celebrated architects in Copenhagen, joins Michael Booth in his quest to pin down the meaning of resilience in architecture, and how we can protect a livable city against disasters. Michael Booth is the host of , a podcast. You can hear previous episodes . This episode is organized in collaboration with , and and produced by Munck Studios.
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How office design impacts the way your brain works
12/20/2022
How office design impacts the way your brain works
How does the design of your office impact the way you work? In many ways our working and learning environments can be improved if you ask research and development architect Klaudio Muca from the architectural firm . They have collected research and conducted interviews with leading scientists about the way space influences our emotions and state of mind – which then shapes our creativity and productivity. Some call it neuroarchitecture – a discipline where the neuroscience meets architecture. Innovative companies around the world have shared their approach to creating working environment that improves the creativity, and CEBRA has been curious enough about this that they have put all this knowledge in the . In this episode of our host, Michael Booth, gets a tour of the CEBRA office in Aarhus, where they are experimenting with neuroarchitecture in their own working environment to support different workflows and needs of their employees. Let’s Talk Architecture is a podcast produced by Muck Studios. You can hear previous episodes .
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How scarce resources shape architecture
12/08/2022
How scarce resources shape architecture
By the hour we grow more aware that our planet’s resources are scarce, and that we urgently must shift from an exploitative to a regenerative architecture. But how? What resources do we have at hand, how are new materials engineered and experienced, and what new materials and design solutions will we have to get used to? In this episode of Let's talk architecture we went to France to explore the sensuous French-ness and talk about how we must rethink our resources in the way we build. We invited ourselves to to talk to the founding partner Ingrid Taillandier, and she explained how they focus on densification as a way of reducing the use of land as resource. We also brought Scottish born architect Susan Carruth, who is partner , a research based architectural firm with Danish roots. Together they talk about how new stories and aesthetics play a crucial role for reducing our use of resources – and how we get used to new materials and designs. Michael Booth is the host of , a podcast. You can hear previous episodes . This episode is organized in collaboration with , and and produced by Munck Studios.
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How cities adapt to the changing climate
11/23/2022
How cities adapt to the changing climate
How can our cities handle the extreme weather the future brings? Architecture plays an important role in making our cities livable even in extreme weather conditions. As the future will bring turbulent weather of differing characters, the solutions too are diverse. In this episode of Let's talk architecture, you can hear about some of the manifold approaches to adapting the city to the dramatically changing climate and weather: Greening of buildings and flood protection of the city. Paolo Russo from the Italian architect studio , tells us about forest-covered high-rise buildings in the middle of Milan, a concept they are bringing around the world. Other approaches are presented by Ole Schrøder from the Danish studio , who is behind several climate adaptation projects that helps Copenhagen to better cope with large bodies of water. They have specialized in making public spaces with respect for the urban life and cultural heritage. Michael Booth is the host of , a podcast. You can hear previous episodes . This episode is organized in collaboration with , and and produced by Muck Studios.
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How partnerships became essential in architecture
10/06/2022
How partnerships became essential in architecture
How many organizations are involved in the construction of our cities? It takes a village, and no man is an island. So, how do we build partnerships of change, and what needs to be done to establish strong collaborations in time to make a difference? In this special edition of Let’s Talk Architecture Michael Booth has travelled to New York to ask: What makes a good partnership? Join in on this episode, where he talks to Brooklynite Ifeoma Ebo, founder of the urban design studio , and the Copenhagen based architect, founder of the studio , Sinus Lynge. They both engage in diverse types of partnerships, which is crucial in changing the value chain of the built environment. Michael Booth is the host of , a podcast. You can hear previous episodes . This episode is organized in collaboration with , and and produced by Muck Studios.
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Why retail is key in catalyzing urban identity
07/04/2022
Why retail is key in catalyzing urban identity
Can urban life be planned and programmed, or will it pop up by itself? At Group, a Copenhagen-based design agency, they use careful retail planning to help foster better communities and bring life to public spaces. In this episode of Let’s Talk Architecture Peter Bur Andersen, BRIQ’s creative director, takes us on a tour of two projects in Copenhagen, and explains how their place-specific approach supports the place-identity of an area through strategic planning. Hosted by Michael Booth. is a podcast produced by Muck Studios. You can hear previous episodes .
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How to keep the expanding city at eye level
06/23/2022
How to keep the expanding city at eye level
Aarhus, the second city of Denmark, is growing. Developing new areas rapidly, opening the harbor front, investing in infrastructure projects and cultural sites, the city is booming. The stakes are high for the new city architect, Anne Mette Boye, who took over the baton in 2021. Tune in to this episode of Let’s Talk Architecture, where she explains her vision of Aarhus as a mosaic of distinct urban neighborhoods with strong connections to the rural landscape. And how to keep the expanding city at eye level. Hosted by Michael Booth. is a podcast produced by Muck Studios. You can hear previous episodes .
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How city design shapes your eating habits
06/07/2022
How city design shapes your eating habits
Does the surrounding architecture make your food choices for you? In a way, if you ask CEO and founding partner at , Helle Søholt and CIO Jeff Risom. Their team of architects, designers, anthropologist etc. map ‘foodscapes’ that reveal what food choices surrounds us, and how that can be improved by design. Design for healthy choices is about exposing people to healthy food, but also considering how eating is a part of social interactions, and that is influenced by the urban design. Michael Booth is host. is a podcast produced by Muck Studios. You can hear previous episodes .
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How Danish architecture became world famous
05/25/2022
How Danish architecture became world famous
The Arne Jacobsen Radisson SAS Royal Hotel was shockingly new for the Copenhageners when it was finished in 1960. It kickstarted a discussion about whether Danish architecture should express local building traditions or move to a more international and modernistic style. Tune in to this podcast, and learn more about the tensions that lie in bricks and steel, and how this discussion continues to influence the Danish architecture. And how Danish architecture became world famous. Featuring architect and CEO of the Danish Architecture Center in more than 20 years, Kent Martinussen and hosted by Michael Booth. Let’s Talk Architecture is a podcast produced by Muck Studios. You can hear previous episodes .
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Why a good city for kids is a city for everyone
05/18/2022
Why a good city for kids is a city for everyone
Copenhagen was broke. In the 1990’s families moved out of the city when they got the chance. This is not the case today, as the city has managed to flip the demographic by creating bigger and better apartments, improving public transport, and prioritizing urban spaces – suitable even for children. Tune in to this podcast, where we explore how Copenhagen grew to be a more livable city by making the city child friendly. Featuring Copenhagen city architect, Camilla Van Deurs, and hosted by Michael Booth. Let’s Talk Architecture is a podcast produced by Muck Studios. You can hear previous episodes .
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Why architecture cannot speak for itself
05/18/2022
Why architecture cannot speak for itself
Architecture can sweep us away, but communication about architecture is a different story. And a problem if you ask Josefine Lykke Jensen, architect, and CEO at . She is engaged with how architects can use strategic communication to make people understand the role of architecture better – and make better architecture. Tune into this podcast, where Josefine Lykke Jensen talks about communication as a crucial tool – especially in the building industry's shift to more sustainable modes. Hosted by Michael Booth. is a podcast produced by Muck Studios. You can hear previous episodes .
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How The Future is Democratic Architecture not Starchitecture
01/07/2022
How The Future is Democratic Architecture not Starchitecture
Vandkunsten Architects is a studio that was born in opposition to the existing paradigms in architecture back in 1971. They wanted to build for people with respect for the environment. Their approach has not changed since - yet it might be more relevant than ever? Learn more about why the future needs democratic architecture and why we should build less. Featuring architect, head of research and development and partner at Vandkunsten Architects, Søren Nielsen and host Michael Booth.
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How architecture is the interplay between form and life
10/15/2021
How architecture is the interplay between form and life
Jan Gehl is one of the most important Danish architects of the past half century. He has had a great impact on the way we design our cities today – with focus on creating the best possible conditions for urban life.
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How to change the conversation at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2021
09/16/2021
How to change the conversation at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2021
Lundgaard & Tranberg Arkitekter is one of Denmark’s most celebrated and forward-thinking architect studios. On the occation of the well-acclaimed Danish pavilion, Con-nect-ed-ness, at the 2021 Venice Biennale, Michael Booth sat down with Lene Tranberg, co-founder and partner, and Erik Frandsen, architect and partner, to talk about the installation and how it changed the conversation at the studio.
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Using waste as an architectural resource
10/29/2020
Using waste as an architectural resource
Lendager Group is leading the conversation in Denmark around architectural upcycling – the practice of creating a product of higher value than the original. The firm takes a circular rather than linear view and uses creative solutions to connect the dots between building waste headed for landfills and new construction. Lendager sat down with DAC’s Jen Masengarb to discuss the firm’s latest work and the problems yet to be solved. Support for this podcast comes from Realdania.
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How architecture shapes behavior
08/04/2020
How architecture shapes behavior
Danish architect Kasper Guldager Jensen, co-owner of 3XN and founder of GXN – a research practice within the larger firm – chats with DAC’s Jen Masengarb. In a thought-provoking conversation, they discuss GXN’s unique team of sociologists, anthropologists and psychologists researching how architecture shapes our behavior. He also explains the firm’s design for the new Children’s Hospital in Copenhagen, featured in DAC’s 2020 exhibition, Kids’ City. Podcast funding provided by Realdania.
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